I am delighted share the report on our recent Ofsted Inspection, which has awarded the school the closest equivalent to an ‘Outstanding’ verdict as is possible at this stage in the inspection cycle. The report takes the form of a letter to me as Headteacher and, as you will see, it is full of praise for the staff and students of the school, as well as noting the overwhelmingly positive view of parents.

Schools judged ‘Good’ are inspected at least every 4 years by means of a 1-day visit. These ‘short inspections’ cannot change the official judgment of ‘Good’. However, if inspectors believe the school would have been judged Outstanding on a full inspection, they make the next inspection a full 2-day one, which will take place within the next couple of years. This is the finding for JCoSS – we expect a return visit probably next academic year, and we will as always aspire to a formal Outstanding judgment.

None of us at JCoSS are in it for the ‘shiny badge’ of Ofsted or of league tables – but it is very good when the accountability systems show us as the wonderful school that we are. I pay tribute to all my colleagues, to Governors, and to our wonderful students and parents who make the community the special – and quite obviously outstanding! – place it is.